Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliogranhiques
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) PLEA FOR EMIGRATION;
#
O Ry,
NOTES OF CANADA WEST, |
IN ITS
MORAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL ASPECT :
WITH
SUGGESTIONS RESPECTING MEXICO, WEST INDIES, “4
AND VANCOUVER’S ISLAND, co
FOR THE
INFORMATION OF COLORED EMIGRANTS.
BY MARY A. SHADE ®
DETROIT:
PRINTED BY GEORGE W. PATTISON.
1852. iis “e
Si f
as Se ee 1
Pere. ee ee %
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
Tue increasing desire on the part of the colored people, to become
‘ thoroughly informed respecting the Canadas, and ‘particularly that
part of the province called Canada West—to learn of the climate, « 4
soil and productions, and of the inducements offered generally to ‘
emigrants, and to them particularly, since that the passage of the
7 odious Fugitive Slave Law has made a residence in the United States
to many of them dangerous in the extreme,—this consideration, and
the absence of condensed information accessible to all, is my excuse « |
for offering this tract to the notice of the public. The people are in @ we
strait,—on the one hand, a pro-slavery administration, with its entire
controllable force, is bearing upon them with fatal effect: on the ’ #
other, the Colonization Society, in the garb of Christianity and : a
Philanthropy, is seconding the efforts of thesfirst named, power, by |
bringing into the lists a vast social and immoral influence, thas mak- |
* ing more effective the agencies employed. Information is ne d
‘ Tropical Africa, the land of promise of the colonizationists, tet
. as she is withthe breath of pestilence, a burning sun and fearful mal- s 3 :
adies, bids them welcome ;—she feelingly invites to moral and phys- * .
ical death, under a voluntary escort of their most bitter enemies at 4
home. Again, many look with dreadful forebodings to the probabil il
n the Southern States, @
a
PLity of worse than inquisitorial inhumanity i
" it .
t
Iv PREFATORY REMARKS,
from the operation of the Fugitive Law. Certain that neither a hor
* in Africa, nor in the Southern States, is desirable under present
cumstances, inquiry is made respecting Canada. I have endeavored
to furnish information to a certain extent, to that end, and believing
that more reliance would be placed upon astatement of facts obtained
in the country, from reliable sources and from observation, than upon
a repetition of current statements made elsewhere, however honestly
made, I determined to visit Canada, and to there collect such infor-
mation as most persons desire. These pages contain the result of
_ much inquiry—matter obtained both from individuals and from doc-
uments and papers of unquestionable character in the Province.
3 M. A. 8,
rored
oving
ained
upon
estly
nfor-
It of
doc-
A PLEA FOR EMIGRATION, &C.
BRITISH AMERICA.
Britisu America, it is well known, is a country equal in extent,
at least, to the United States, extending on the north to the Arctic
Ocean, from the Atlantic on the east, to the Pacific on the west, and
the southern boundary of which is subject to the inequalities in lati-
tude of the several Northern States and’ Territories belonging to the
United States government. This vast country includes within ‘its
limits, some of the most beautiful lakes and rivers on the Western
Continent. The climate, in the higher latitudes, is extremely severe,
but for a considerable distance north of the settled districts, particular?
ly in the western part, the climate is healthy ahd temperate : epidem:
ics are not of such frequency asin the United States, owing to & more
equable temperature, and local diseases are unknown. The province
claiming especial attention, as presenting features most desirable in a ’
residence, is Canada, divided into East and West ; and of these Can-
ada West is to be preferred. |
THE CANADAS—CLIMATE, ETC.
Canada East, from geographical position and natural chayacteriee’
ties, is not so well suited to a variety of pursuits, as the more;westérn,
partof the province. The:surface is generally uneven; and in manyi ne
partsmountainous; its more northern location subjects the mhabitants
to extremely cold, cheerless winters, and: short but warm: summers...
The land. is of good quality, mid vegetation is of tapid growth, but
fhe general healthiness of the country is inferior torsome of the other
O
icts. The,State of sia 4 — a-fair ~~ af. Dwe : Gan- | if
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
4. we
ada in the general, Population ( which is principally Frenel
confined chiefly to the valley of the St. Lawrence, and the" cot
contiguous. In Canada West, the variation from a salubrious and
emineptly healthy climate, is nowhere sufficient to cause the least
solicitude ; on the contrary, exempt from the steady and enfeebling
warmth of.gouthern latitudes, and the equally injurious characteristics
of polar countries, it is highly conducive to mental and physical en-
ergy. Persons living in the vicinity of the Great Lakes, and the
neighboring districts, say that their winters are much less severe than
when, in past years, vast forests covered that region—that very deep
snows are less frequent than they were, and that owing to the great
body. of ice that accumulates in the Lakes, the people living in the
States, bordering, suffer more severely from the cold than Canadians,
—the ice making more intense the north winds sweeping over it. If
these statements admit of adoubt, we well know that many flourish-
ing towns in Canada are farther south than a large portion of Maine,
New. Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Michigan and Oregon, and
should, in considering this fact, have the full benefit of geographical
position, I have thought proper to allude to the cold, at first, for the
reason that it is the feature in the climate most dwelt upon—the so-
licitude of friends, ignorant on this point, and of persons less disinter-
ested, often appealing to fears haying no foundation whatever, when
the facts are fairly set forth.
The products of a country make an important item, in all casesin which
this question is being considered; so in the-present instance. In Cana-
da we find the vegetation of as rank growth as in the middle and north-
yern United States. In order to promote a luxuriance in the products
‘s-oountry equally with another, the conditions necessary to that
on 'must be ‘equal,—if by reference to facts, an approach to similar-
res ibe made, thatpart’of the subject will be settled for the present.
“Miesrly ‘as March there are indications of permanent Spring weather,
“aad i June and. July, the summer will compare with the same sea-
sou at the line. In January dnd February there. are always
nd er eve is our experience ;-butwhen the
i mces, the:heat is intense, and the gpowth of Vesey
-_ |
Pov age
Be oi Ae
~~
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
ni rapid, so that whatever deficiency may be attributed to a _ %,
od, may be fully compensated for in the steady and equal.
rature after the warm season has fairly set in; though it is late;
beginning, it is prolonged into what is the autumn with us, and far-
rious and
pine leant mers harvest their crops of wheat, hay, &c., at s later period, tham
dasa in the Middle States, generally,—August and September being. the
seristios months in which hay, wheat, and some other crops are gathered in.
Aron e- Taking this circumstance. in connection with the regularity of the)
and the seasons, and uniform heat or cold when they have such weathes;the
ere than superiority of many products, as wheat, fruit, d&c., may. be aecounted:
ery deep ) for.’ I say superiority, because, in its place, I hope to give:such-evir
the Great ” — dence as will substantiate the assertion. Annexed is a table-setting.,
bg in the , forth the greatest degree of cold and heat,—in the: years mentioned; |
poadians, as indicated by Fahrenheit’s Thermometer, together with. the
so ate If and lowest range indicated in the months of September and Decem-
fourish; ber of 1851, which last has been said to be unusual, (the lowest, im
of Maine, twenty years) by the “oldest inhabitant.’’ | '
villi ane GREATEST DEG. OF HEAT. LOWEST DEG. OF COLD. |
sraphical 1840. - - «+ gg9°4 . Ru “carpe - 18:96?
, for the 1841. - ‘ - 93°91’ - : - + (62.7?)
-the so- POR io ie DR Git Hp ind Yella ie ha
disinter- hie ‘ p : = og. ; re - PO gt
rT, when LOMB oe ets DER eu 'side Lait iihs Eee
1846. - = = 9498 ew GO TP
nwhich ak CR TRE MEM ARI bo
nCana- ‘These are the extreme ranges of cold and heat indicated Pine e.
1 north- Observatory, on one day during the seasons, but which do wot Jest,
roducts : beyond a few hours ; the mean temperature of the four mpanthe, of :
to that a summer and four of winter for the last eight years have been res “
similar- ‘ tively : Summer 75° 6’; Winter 26° 7’, Fahrenheit.’’* a, Bl
resent. tion to. the usual state of the weather of the last year, as con waste
eather, me with former periods, the last summer. and first, autumn months: wore:
ne sea- P| very warm, and. in the month of September indicated 95 bs at
always | heit, in the shade, withouteli¢iting remarks other than a
nen the ; yor
af Catechism
eg:
iiacaeasaaas for Tutended Emigrants of a
ae ‘3
et ees
: nS
vege “4 '
NOTES’ OF CANADA WEST.
of weather, ‘at‘that ‘season, would have’ in’the United State
short, from much corfvetsation with persons of many years reéil
I Believe that climate opposes no obstacle to emigration, but’ thatTt §
the-most' desirable known in 80 high ‘a latitude, for emigrants general-
ly,"andieolored people particularly. In other parts of British Ameri-
caj'as} for’ instance; Lower Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Britain,
thé! cold’ is'more intense, but when we think of ‘' . .xtent of Upper
Canada, there’ would be no more reason for ascribing severe cold to
thé whole; than there’would be to class the climate of the United
States 'with thatof the torrid zone, because of the great heat in the
lower ‘latitudés.'In this province the regularity of the seasons pro-
mote health*in® a greater degree than in those countries’ subject to
fréquentchanges, as in many of the United States, where cold and
warn’ weather alternate in quick succession ; and in the upper pro-
vinee' especially) universal testimony to the healthiness of the climate
obtains.) 94.
SOIL, —TIMBER,—CLEARING LANDS.
The jeatity and. different kinds of soil must form the second sub-
ject. for consideration, because, in connection with climate, it:enters
largely into all our ideas of comfort and, pecuniary independence ;
again, because so far as colored people are interested in the subject of
emigration | to any country, their welfare, in a pecuniary view, is pro-
moted by. attention to the quality of the soil. Lands out of the Uni-
tad States, on this continent, should have no local value, if the ques-
tions | ‘of personal freedom and political rights were left out of the
subject, ‘but’ ‘as they are paramount, too much may not be said on this
} point. “T'mean to be understood, that a description of lands in Mexi-
a 7 co would probably be as desirable as lands in Canada, if the idea
: were siniply to’ get lands ‘and settle theréot ; but it is important to
“now if’ by this investigation we only agitate, and leave the public
s mind ina an ‘unsettled’ state, or if a permanent nationality is included
p% in'the' prospect of becoming purchasers and settlers.
“The quest at on, does the soil of Canada offer inducements sufficient
lete: . eetive emigrants in its favor ?. may be girwared by.
hts general-
ish Ameri-
bw Britain,
of Upper
ere cold to
he United
eat in the
ASONS pro-
subject: to
cold and
pper pro-
1e climate
ond. sub-
it: enters
ndence ;
ibject of
, 18 pro-
the Uni-
he ques-
t of the
d on this
n Mexi-
the idea
rtant to
> public
cluded
ficient
red by
NOTES OF CANADA WEST. 9
one for himself, after having properly weighed.the following
w) | Persons who have been engaged in agriculture the greater
“pal of their lives,-practical and competent farmers, and. judges of
. the capacity of different sbils,—say, that the soil is. unsurpassed hy
that of, Kentucky and States, farther south, and naturally superior to
the adjoining northern States. It is not only indicated by, the rich,
dark and heavy appearance, and the depth of the soil, which is seldom
reached, by plows of the greatest capacity, but.by, the character of
the products, and the urequalled: growth and size of timber on, un-
cleared lands.. Wheat, the staple. product of, the country, averages
sixty pounds to the bushel—often actually exceeding that ; fifty-six
is the standard weight, in. the: United. States ; and leaving out Dela-
wai'e, that is seldom reached. _ The forest consists of walnut, hickory,
white and burr, oak, basswood, ash, pine, poplar—all.of the largest
size, and other inferior, kinds, of, wood with which: we are not familiar
in our northern woods. There is a greater variety in them, and lars
ger size, | and knowing thai the size of vegetables depends mainly
upon the quantity of nutriment afforded by: the soil, we.are led in this
instance to infer its superiority. Besides the well known wheat, oats,
buckwheat, Indian corn, and other grains, are-raised.of good quali-
ty, and. with profit, and more to the acre than is usually obtained in
the States, except on the‘application of fertilizing materials—a mode
not much practised in.Canada, hitherto, the, land not: haying been-ex-
hausted sufficiently to require such appliances to further its productive-
ness. The varieties of soil, area black loam, sandy loam, clay,.and
sand, but, a.:black loam is the predominating kind: I speak now: of
the cultivated districts, and those: in. process, of clearing; as far north
as Lord. Selkirk’s. settlement, for ‘the country:-beyond the: present
limits of civilization, I do not feel, warranted in speaking, nor:to
give in, other.than general terms, the testimony of those acquainted
with that region, It is. said to: be. equally fertile; but the. products
not .so varied, ‘because ofits more northern, situation. | ‘The, general
appearance of the province is undulating, though there is.much ‘level
~ country. Numerous and beautiful rivers, and smaller streams, run
through the country, in all directions, so that there is no lack‘of'wa-
j 9 . ; 3
i
10 NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
ter power. ‘The plains,” a term applied to level country, #
generally sandy, and yield regular average and certain crops,’ vt i
out reference to the'seasons.”* They are similar to the western
praries, but more capital is necessary to cultivate them than for tim-
berlands. The advantage of timbered land, to purchasers of ‘small
capital, over plains, is considerable. On cultivated, or plain lands,
on which timber is thinly scattered, the earliest return for labor spent
is deferred to the growth of a crop ; besides the mode of tillage is
different. Not so on the timbered lands } wood ever meets a ready
and cash sale, and more may be realized from firewood than to three
times pay the cost of a farm. Wood land will average seventy cords
to the acre, every cord of which can be readily disposed of at’ two
and ‘two and a half dollars, cash, in the towns. The regularity of
the seasons tends, also, to increase the farmer’s security, so that of all
other men, he is least apprehensive of want. “If the fall wheat
fails,”” says the little book referred to, “he replaces it with spring
wheat; and our seasons are so peculiar that some crops are always
certain to be productive.” * * * Those whose capital invested
in it is their own, are sure to increase their means and wealth. *
* © Tf @ farmer determines to keep out of debt, and be satisfied
with ‘what.his farm yields, independence in a few years will be the
result.” The above extracts are intended for the benefit of the emi-
grants in general,—men of small means, or with no capital,—and
show what may be expected by generally the least wealthy who set-
tle:in anew country. From the many instances of success under
my observation, (particularly of formerly totally destitute colored
persons; ) I firmly believe that with an axe and a little energy, an
independent position would result in a short period. The cost of
cler-iag wild lands, is also an important item ; by that is meant put-
ting ‘and in a state to'receive a crop,—it ineludes clearing of trees,
fencing, &c. This can be done at léss cost near the settled districts.
‘In moderately timbered” lands, ten dollars the acre is the least for
which it:.can be done,—more remote, the price varies from that to
* Catechism. .
an for tim-
Ss of small
lain lands,
abor spent
f tillage is
ts a ready
An to three
enty cords
of at two
gularity of
that of all
all wheat
ith spring
re always
l invested
lth. *
é satisfied
ill be the
the emi- —
tal;—and
who set-
28s under
> colored
ergy, an
6 cost of
zant put-
of trees,
districts.
least for
that to
: tio is second to none for agricultural, purposes, yet it is hardly
NOTES OF CANADA WEST. il
‘ y dollars. Though the prevalent opinion in the province, is, that
possible to state the actual productiveness of the soil, as the attention
has not been given to farming that the land admits. There are,
and must be fora time, few experimental and scientific fasmers, as it
is more.as.a means.of present, subsistence, than to test'the capacity
of different soils, that the farmer labors te procure a.crop;, though |
the conviction is irresistible that indigence and moderate competence.
must at no distant day, give place to wealth, eahinaitbion and their
concomitants.
GRAINS, POTATOES, TURNIPS, &C,
The accompanying table exhibits the average viet to the sere, of
the several grains mentioned, in fallow land :
ARTICLES. MO. BUSH. | ARTICLES. NO. BUSH.
Wheat, - - - - 30 Oats, - - - - -.
Buckwheat, - - - 165 Barley, - -~- + - 40
Rye, - + - 2 + 35 Indian Corn, - - - SO.
Other products yielding a profitable return, and that form a part
of the crop in well cultivated farms generally, in the United States,
are potatoes—white or Irish and sweet,—carrots, turnips, pumpkins,
(several kinds, and the best I ever saw,) squashes and tobacco.
These vegetables grow very large, and are not included in what we
term garden plants. I have never seen in the large markets of -our
northern cities, vegetables ofthe class here mentioned, to equal them
in the general, except the sweet potato: The Irish potato grows much
larger, and'is in’ every respect superior ; so of the others. | Tobacco:
grows finely, and meets with ready sale at what would be called a:
high price with us: These articles, I:repeat, are ofthe finest des-
cription, and have not, of course, the pithy. and. stringy: charaoteris-
tics so general in the. same kind with us. It is difficult, to get at the,
average yield of such things, except potatoes, and. tuynips, but a full
crop will sonvey the idea.
moe
NOTES OF CANADA. WEST.
GARDEN VEGETABLES, &C.
| ‘The most abundant are tomatoes, cucumbers, onions; beéts, cé b
bage'and cauliflower, egg-plants, beans, peas, leeks, celery; lettuce, a
asparagus, melons, (water-melons and musk-melons,) cantelopes and |
| spitiage; ’ There are other vegetables, but they have been mentioned ©
elséwhere. ‘These ‘articles, excepting water-melons and cantelopes, :
are cultivated with as great success, at least,'as in the United States,
and' the ‘specimens’ generally seen in the gardens and api iene
are’ decidedly ‘superior. «
FRUITS—VINES—BERRIES.
cpus EE ate eee
iy 5 odes
Canada is emphatically a fruit country. The fruits of New York,
Michigan and New. Jersey, have long been famaus: but if comparison
is fairly instituted, pre-eminence will be the award to the Proyince.
Apples grow in abundance, wild and cultivated, from the diminutive
crab to the highly flavored bell-flower and pippin; and pears, plums
and cherries, i in many varieties, The extent to which fruit is cultiy |
vated; and the yield, are incredible. Egg and blue plums are raised
with ease, and strawberries, raspberries, grapes, whortleberries, and
in, fact, all of the fruits seen in our markets, are plentiful, _ Other ideas
than those of a barren soil, and scarcity of products, are induced when
visiting the market-places of Toronto, Hamilton and othen large towns.
At Toronto, may be. seen one of the best markets in America in
| every, way—the supplies furnished by the farmers of their own agri-
cultural districts, At the State Fair, held in Detroit, Michigan, 1851,
the first prizes, for fruits, fowls, and cattle, were awarded to. Canada
farmers ; so of the Fair held in Western New York during the same
hg.
» DOMESTIC ANIMATS—FOWLS—GAME, |
“In the general, the horses ‘are’ not of that large size found in’ the ’
Midd'e and Western States, but/are of medium size, particularly those
uéed ‘by'‘the'| French’; yet; occasionally; one may, see’ large horses
among them, and cattle, sheep, etc., also. The size of ‘cattle: seems’
not to affect their market value as beef and mutton, it being thought
by epicufes to be of the best quality. I speak of the French in this
NOTES OF CANADA WEST. 13
RRS il ite fion, because it is well known, they form no inconsiderable part
hions, bests, cap | r ep pepulation. Among English, and other farmers, more atten-
} celery, lettuce, “Bion is ‘paid to improving stock—competition is as spiritedly carried
) cantelopes and : on'as in the States, consequently cattle and horses of the finest kinds,
been cece | Tas to'size and repute, are owned by them. The Canadian pony, with
and cante) ‘them, gives place to the fine English draft and carriage horse, ‘and
} United States, /Darham and other kine of celebrity are justly appreciated.’ The
) marketplaces pride of Canadian farmers, as shown in a fine selection of such’ ani-
4 mals, is not at’ all less than that of, their ‘‘American’? neighbors: ‘as
j before said, the highest premiums given, ‘for superior cattle and sheep
4 at Rochester and Detroit, in 1851, were received by Canada farmers.
| a New York, ; To understand fully the resources of the Canadas in this particular,
id romparigon , both as to quantity and quality, for labor or other purposes, a view-
He Province. ; of the well'stocked! farms, with their swarms of: horses; oxen, eows,
he diminutive ‘ sheep and hogs, would well epay @ visit to the country, to those skep-
iba Plums | : tical on'these ‘points, or to see the excellént beef, mutton, veal and
fruit ig culti- i pork, exposed’ for sale—unsurpassed any where for quality and
MS are raised ; abundance.’ Prices vary’ as elsewhere, hewietcets to’ arn bie
Abstrieg apd ordinarily ‘they are : :
hie ita *Beef, - - 4andScts. - - per pond. -
aduced when Mutton . - 6 PATO 7 ee |
large. towns, Veal, «- - 4 mica ta eS ma $6
America in Pork, - - 5 and 6 *“ . i se
ir own agri- Again, the butter and cheese, derived directly froin these animals,
igan, 1851 must be, and are, superior, from the nature of the pasture and other
.to Canada food eaten; though, from the circumstance of recent settlement,
9 the dame means of disposal and abundance, matters in the. housewife’s depart —
” ment are not generally so thoroughly . conducted as in more populous,
and older settled, countries, where a competition of tastes and judg-
aah ment, in managing these articles and arranging for the. market, is is
nd in’the freely indulged. The comparative cost of keeping stock is little, the. :
arly those 4 summer pastures affording ample for that. season ; in winter, many
6 horsés 3 mark their’ horses, and turn them out in the woodlands and open
tle'seems’ fj ‘
‘ thoug ht J panera bas noir, bor it song fo rs :
hin this -| ‘ rere ratehencotorth, bat will be determined py aeerey° = ,
ee ee.
a be bought for one thousand. dollars, superior in every way, to
14 NOTES OF OCANADA WEST.
country; where they never’ fail of a supply of roots andi giiamam
Numbers are seen in mid-winter, looking as well as those hegsed aim
fed. . The snows protect the grasses, and from their peculiar length
and frequency, animals subsist. well on the matter they are thus en-
abled to get by removing them, and from the early growth of shrubs
in the woods... The fayms generally, have chickens, turkeys, geese,
and other fowls, in great: numbers; and they meet with a ready sale
— prices are generally for poultry two shillings and two and six-pence
the pair, when in great plenty; eggs 10'cents and 124 cents:the doz-
en, and’ may be disposed of in any quantity to the traders without:
leaving the farm : numerous huoksters go in all directions through the
country to purchase, to sell again in the large cities. | In the winter; ’
these-articles, in common with vegetables and other commodities, are.
often sold at a rate that in the United States would be called: high,
the:rapidly increasing population making the ordinary supply insuf-
ficient. Geese uniformly command two shillings ; turkeys one dol-
lar, domesticated or, wild. There is an abundance of game, and
turkeys meet. with ready sale. Hunting is much the custom of ald
classes, and ducks, squirrels, (black,) pigeons, deer, hares, quails,.
pheasants, and other game, are brought down in: great: numbers.
Wild animals are not troublesome, though in remote districts, an
occasional bear or wolf is seen ; foxes alsomake depredations:at times,
bs not frequently.
»
"PRICES OF LAND IN THE COUNTRY—CITY PROPERPY, &C.
“The country in the vicinity of Toronto and te the eastward, being
thickly settled; (farms being advertised ‘thirty miles: on Yonge
street,”) the price of property is, of course, very much higher than
in the western districts. City property varies according to location—
two’hundred dollars the foot, is the value of lots in good position in
Toronto :.in the suburbs very fine lots may be had at reasonable
ratés. Farms, at a few miles distant, range from thirty to fifty dol-
lats ‘the acre—fifty dollars being thought a fair price for the best.
quality of land with improvements ; but in the western districts, farms
liar length
re thus en-.
n of shrubs:
eys, geese,
ready sale
i six-penoe:
ts: the doz-
prs without.
hrough the
ior ities, are:
ed: high,
ply insug:
8 one dol-
ame, and
tom of alk
8, quails,.
numbers.
itricté, an
cat times,
&C,
‘d, being
Yonge
her than
ation—
sition in
sonable
fty dol-
he best,
:farms
ray, to
NOTES OF CANADA WEST. 15
on Bmeanitho city of Toronto, that are held at five thousand. Im-
edi : ds, near Chatham, London, Hamilton, and other towns
s bought at prices varying from ten up to one hundred :
q at a few miles distant, uncleared lands, belonging to Government,
4 may be had by paying one dellar sixty-two cents, two, and two fifty,
according to locality—well timbered and watered, near cultivated
farms en the river and lake shore. Thousands of acres, of the very
best land in the Province, are now in the market at the above prices,
and. either in the interior, or well situated as te prospect from the
lakes, and near excellent markets. The daad is daid out in what are
called. concessions, these. concessions, er blocks, being sub-divided
into lots... Thereis, therefore, a v.aiformity of apyearance throughout
in the farms, and ne contest about roads on individual property can
result—the reads being designed to benefit equally contiguous prop-
erty, and under jurisdiction of Government. One hundred acres is
the smallest quantity te be had of Government, but individual holders
sell in, quantities te suit purchasers. Large. quantities of land are
held by individuals, though at a higher rate generally than that held
by Government ; and their titles are said. to be often defective. In
every respect, the preference) should be for purchases of Government
-—land is cheaper, as well situated, and below a specified. number. of
acres, may, net be bought ; a prohibition of advantage to many who
world buy, as there is induced a spirit of enterprise and competition,
and a sense ef responsibility. Too many axe now independently drag;
ging along miserably, on the few acres, ten, twenty, or such a mat-
ter, bought at the high rates of individual holders, in a country in
which the prices must, for along time, require more land in process
of culture, to afford a comfortable support. There is every. induce-
ment to buy, near or.in towns, as well as in the country, as land’ is
cheap, business increasing, with the steady increase of population; no
lack of employment at fair prices, and no Cope creeee or other: yee
ification in existence. 3
i itt ia
§
In Canada, as in other recently settled countries, anid is much to
-dlo, and compar atively few for the work. ‘The numerous watt 5 and
: oe epcicacsionl et aren seas ; — ~ ~
; nelle “ eis Sgariesnt pos aie ee
gp hetagS ae 65 Tn re : ‘% memanetiind
a 5 ce Ee a eee ee ee -
=e ae SS = sina
- oor 7 Se Sige eee sirsiid F ss
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
villages springing up, and the great demand for timber. anda yrieul:
tural products, make labor of every kind plenty: : all, trade b
practiced in the United States, are there patronized, by wiigpasogy
carried on—no man’s complexion affecting his business. If.a colored
man understands. his business, he receives the public patronage the
same asa white man. He is not obliged to work a little better, and
at_a lower rate—there is no degraded class to identify him with,
therefure every man’s work stands or falls according to merit, not as
is his color... Builders, and other tradesmen, of different complexions,
work together on the same building and in the same shop, with -per-
fect: harmony, and often the proprietor of an establishment is colored,
and the majority or all of the men employed are white. | Businesses
that in older communities have ceased to remunerate, yield a large
per'centage to the money invested. !
The mineral resources of the Canadas’ not being developed, to any
extent, for fuel wood is generally used, anda profitable trade in that
commodity is carried on; and besides lumber for buildings, the get-
ting out of materials for staves, coopers’ stuff, and various purposes,
affords'steady employment and at fair prices, for cash. This state of
things must increase, and assume more importance in Canada mar-
kets, as the increasing population of the western United States: burn
and otherwise appropriate their timber. Railroads are in process of
construction—steamboats now ply between Toronto and the ‘several
towns on the lakes ; and in process of time, iron and other works will
be in operation, it is said, all requiring their quota, and of course
keeping up the demand. ‘Boards for home and, foreign markets, are
successfully manufactured, and numerous mill-sites: are‘ fast ‘being
appropriated to saw and grist mills. In some sections, colored mén
aré.engaged in saw mills on their own account. . At Dawn, a:settle-
ment on the Suydenham, (of which hereafter, ) and at ‘other points,
this trade is prosecutedwith profit to them. To enumerate the dif-
ferent occupations in which colored persons are, engaged, ever.) in
detail, would but fatigue, and would not further the end in view,
namely: To set forth the advantage of a residence in a country, in
which chattel slavery is not tolerated, and prejudice of color has no
s
4
‘ is’
18
j
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
tever—the adaptation of that country, by climate, soil,
ycharacter, to their physical and political necessities ; and
ity ofa residence there over their present position. at home.
It T suffice, that colored men prosecute all the different trades ; are
store svasbaal farmers; clerks, and laborers ; and are not only unmo-
lested, but sustained and encouraged in any business for which, their
qualifications and means fit them ; and as the resources of the coun+
Me 4 try develop, new fields of enterprise will be opened to them, and
? 4 consequently new motives to honorable effort.
D, With ‘per. %
is colored, | CHURCHES—SCHOOIS.
Pe ane In the large towns and-cities, as in similar communities in other
4 Christian countries, the means for religious instruction are ample.
ned; to any 4 There are ‘tostly churches in which all classes and complexions wor-
adé'in that [bi and no “ negro pew,” or other seat for colored persons, espe-
8; the get- cially. I was forcibly struck, when at Toronto, with the contrast the
purposes; religious community there presented, to our own large body of Ame-
his state of rican Christians. In the churches, originally built by the white Ca- 5
nada mar- 4 nadians, the presence of colored persons, promiscuously seated, i
ates airn y elicited no comment whatever. They are members, and visitors, and
processof 99 such have their pews according to their inclination, near the door,
w\ebiensl q or remote, or central, as best suits them. The number of colored
vorks wil} ™ Persons, attending the churches with whites, constitutes a minority;'I
of 'ncbvin @ think. They have their ‘own churches,” That that is the feature q
kets, are a in their policy, which is productive of mischief to the entire body, is
st being evident enough ; and the opinion of the best informed and most ift-
red men @ fluential among them, in Toronto and the large towns, is decided and
8 settle: universal. I have heard men of many years residence, and’ who
points, have, in a measure, been moulded by the better sentiment of society,
the dif. a! de deep'sorrow at the course of colored persons, in pertinaciously
evér.in ‘Z refusing overtures of religious fellowship from the whites ; and inthe
hee a face of all experience to the contrary, erecting Colored Methodist,
ntry, in 4 and: Baptist, and: other Churches. This opinion ‘obtains fiscagst a
/} many who, when in the United States, were connected with colored. ‘
has no .
be churehes,. Aside from: their: caste character, their influence on the
} 3 ’
18 NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
¢olored people is fatal. The character of the exclusive re alesis
da tends to perpetuate ignorance, both of their true posi
subjects, and of the Christian religion in its purity. a
to observe thoughtfully the workings of that incipient » on, (the |
Canadian African Church, of whatever denomination, ) i in its present @
‘itaperfect state, without seriously regretting that it should have been
thought necessary to callit into existence. In her bosomis nurtured
the long-standing and rankling prejudices, and hatred against whites, 4
without exception, that‘had their origin in American oppression, and 4
that should have been left in the country in which they originated— “|
tis that species of animosity that is not bounded by geographical j
lines, nor suffers discrimination.
A goodly portion of the people in the western part of the Province,
(for there axe but few in the eastern, ) are enjoying superior religious
opportunities, but the majority greatly need active missionary effort :
first, toteach them, love to their neighbor; and. ‘again, to give them
an; iatelligent and correct understanding of the Sacred: Scriptures.
.The.migsionary strength, at present, consists of ‘but six preachers—
_petive and efficient. gentlemen, all of them, and self-sacrificing in the
‘last degree ; and, several women engaged in teaching, under the same
auspices. ; Much. privation, suffering, opposition, and sorrow await
ithe missionary in that field. If it were possible, for him to foresee
{whatiain store for him there, a mission. to India, or the South Sea
Islands, would be preferable ; for, in, that case, the sympathy of the
agntine, (community is enlisted, and his,sojourn is made as pleasant an
ppssible—the people to. whom he. is sent, are éither as little children,
simple.and confiding, or out-right, savages ; and in thatiease, deadly
#nemies, .In.this less remote field—almost in speaking distance—
neglect from, friends, suspicion, abuse, misrepresentation, and .a.de-
grading. ‘surveillance, . often of serious and. abiding éonsequences,
await him. _Not. directly from the fugitives— those designe, prima-
7 | silt be b enefitted—may assaults be looked for, at first, They pos-
Bess attlesize, for the light, and incline to cluster around the missionary
anvaviably,, There are those who. pretend to have been enlightened,
anil to have at, heart, the common geod, whose influence and.opera-
NOTES OF CANADA WRST. 19
fe ge
ieee a? Ee
pes a
Ind designedly counteracting his conscientious efforts,
tively appealing to a common origin and kindred suffer-
y striking behind, and bringing his pricy an a
rations, into discredit in the eyes of a sympathizing
Gislaien ey. This, and more, awaits those who may be called
9 a oe to the:field ; but the case is not a hopeless one. ‘The native good sense
at holm ’ of he fugitives, backed by proper schools, will eventually develop the
») in its present ,
against whites, % xeak character of their operations and sacrifices. They and their
“pression, weiel 4 families, of all others, should have the swpport of Christians..
1 | The refugees express a strong desire for intellectwal culture, and)
PY Seographical | :
= persons often begin their education at a time of life when many im
@ other countries think they are too old. There are no separate schools:
ithe Province, | at Toronto and in many other places, as in the churches, the colored,
en rngons | people avail themselves of existing schools ; but in the western coun-
sstonary effort : m © try, in some sections, there is a tendency to ‘‘ exclusiveness,’” The:
v0 give them dathred people of that section petitioned, when the School Law. was.
red Scriptures,
under revision, that they might have separate aghools; thene, were;
counter petitions by those opposed, and to satialy, all parties, twelve,
freeholders among them, can, by following a prescribed form, demand
ix preachers
crificing in the
nder the same a school for their children ; but if other schools, under patronage of
SOrrow await Government, exist, (as Catholic or, Protestant,) they can demand.
im to foresee admission into them, if they have not ene. . They.are-not compelled
he South Sea to have a colored. sehool. “The following is that ver of the pho |
pSthy of the t directly relates to.them : :
8 pleasant an ome ni ea That it. shall be the dna of the Municipal: "7
ile children, Council of any, township; and. of the, Board of ee 4
fase, deadly city, town..or ineggporated village,.on the application; in : ‘sin eagle
rari twelve on, more, resident heada of families, to authorise the: 4
» and a.de- roent of one.or.more separate, schools for; Protestants,. Roman. Cashin)
neequences, lies.or colored people; and, in such case, it shall. presoribe.the limitnot,
ned. prima- the divisions. or, sections|,for such. .echool;, and shall, make Ai 9004
They pos- provisions for the, holding. of the first meeting for the;e ee Tres-
missionary tees. of each such, separate Achool, or. achools, .as,is.. provided. im the ;
lightened, fourth seetion of this. Act for holding the first school meeting im. anew
and. opera~
: ‘choah ARGON ii Exmvided altars, that. each ... shale A ,
ioe Sty 2 6
aad Bees Sc teed «
.
20 NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
into:operation at the same time with alterations in schoo.
shall ‘be under the same regulations in respect to the
whom such school is permitted to be established, as ¢ :
schools generally : Provided, secondly, that none but colore:! people
shall’beallowed'to vote for the election of Trustees of the separate |
school for their children, and none but the parties petitioging for the
establishment of, or sending children to a separate Protestant or Ro-
man!! Catholic ‘school, shall vote at the election of Trustees of such
schools : Proyjded, thirdly, that each separate Protestant, or Roman
Catholic, or colored school, shall be entitled to share in the school
fund according to the avirage attendance of pupils attending each
such separate school, (the mean attendance of pupils for both sum-
merand winter being taken, ) as compared with the average attend-
ance of pupils attending the common schools in such city, town, vil-
lage or township: Provided, fourthly, that no Protestant separate
school’ shall ‘be’ allowed in any school division, except when the
wacher of ‘the common school is a Roman mee nor shall any Ro-
- man’ Catholic: separate school be allowed exec)! when the teacher of
the¢émmor school is a Protestant.”
"As :before said, the facilities for obtaining a liberal education, are
aim:‘e'in the large! towns and cities. In Toronto, students of all
comy /“xions associate together, in'the better class‘schools and colle- |
ges: De ov ratio». of missionaries being chiefly among: colored .
fF - peoyiu, they have e:cablished several schools in connettion with their
a prt they are open to children without exception. The colored
| imson'echools have more of a compléxional character than the pri-
ite, whieh, ‘with no ‘exception that I have heard of, are opén'to all.
> Tlie Act’of Parliament above referted to, was designed to afford the
fallést and iinost equable. facilities for instruction to‘all, and'that par- ||
tied dlaitie was’ inserted with the view to satisfy them, though ‘less ;
objestionableto'the body of them, than what they asked for.
fugitives, ‘in; some instances, ‘settled on Government land be-' _ a
tht market, cleared away and improved it. Their friends’
ished: schools which were flourishing, when they were obliged to
‘Up, ‘and the * cess because of inability to purchase .
colores!
stecs of such
ant, or Roman
in the school
tending each
for both sum.
erage attend-
ity, town, vil-
tant separate
pt when the
shall any Ro-
he teacher ‘of
ducation, are
udents of all
ols and colle-
nong colored ,
on with their
The colored
than the pri-
open to all:
to afford the
nd ‘that’ par-
though less
or.
re obliged to
! rople " tether, or “interepersed among the. French, Dutch, Seotch, Irish and
{ the separate |
ioging for the
testant or Ro-
ent land bes! |
Their friends’ a
to purchase
NOTES OF CANADA WEAST. QI
Pons buying. This cause has, in # measure, retarded
general information amongst them.
i, twenty or more families are often settled near one an-
"i Indians, in the woodland districts ; often, English is not spoken-
» There may not be an English school, and all revel together in happy
? ignorance. Nothing but the sound of the axe, and their own crude
ideas of independence, to inspire them, unless it be an Indian camp
: fire occasionally, This may be rather an uninviting state of affairs to
@ those living in crowded eities, but it is true there are numerous grown
up families, of white and colored, who do not know B. But as uninter-
esting as is the detail, in this particular aspect of these affairs, the
% signs.are encouraging. If they went to labor honestly, in a region
. semi-barbarous, they have eut their way out, and are now able to
‘@ make themselves heard in a demand for religious instructors of the
m ' right kind, and schools, Many efficient persons have devoted their
7 time and talents to their instruetion, but there hag not been ‘anything
~ like an equal number to the work: neither are they often found to
» have materials to work with. Individuals in the United States often
send books to those most needy, yet they are usually of sueh ‘a char-
| acter as to be utterly useless.’ [have-often thought, if itis really a bene-
7 volent act to send old almanacs, old novels, and all manner of obsolete
( books to them, what good purpose was accomplished; ‘or even. what
%) sort of vanity was gratified, by emptying the useless contents of Old |
libraries on destitute fugitives? It would: be infinitely’ better notte
give; it seems, though probably persons sending them think
@] ently. The case is aggravated from the fact’ of # real desi
part of the recipients, to learn, and their former want of “opp unit:
Probably the propensity to ‘give is gratified’: “but why not ative ;
[) gifte-are needed, of thatwhich’is wseful'? Bat thé que
answering any good purpose to'give such things’ ‘boo ) eve’
“nob been satisfactorily answered in the ngbnetiacpic are
seston the — ie ‘theig smaed oe de Ae
g- to Z ;
Ps r .
yeh % aT eo pS +X ey : ex te
-
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
SELTLEMENTS —DAWN,— ELGIN,— INSTITUTION, —FU@S
Much has been said of the Canada eolored settlemeiil
have been expressed by many, that by encouraging excl
like color in the States would result, and as a congeyuenee, estrange- ‘|
ment, suspicion, and distrust would be induced. Such would inevita-
_bly: be ‘the result, and will be, shall they determine to have entirely
proscriptive settlements. Those in existence, so far as I hgve been
able to get at facts,.do not exclude whites from their vicinity ; bat
that’settlements may not be established of that character, is notse
certain. Dawn, on the Suydenham river, Elgin, or Kmg’s Settle-
ment, as itis called, situated about ten miles from Chatham, are
settlements in which there are regulations in regard to morals, the
purchase: of lands, ete., bearing only on the colored people ; but
whites are not excluded because of dislike. When purchase ‘was
made of the lands, many white families were residents,—at least, lo-
cations were not selected in which none resided. At first, a few sold
out; fearing that such neighbors might not be agreeable ; others, and
they the majority, concluded to remain, and the result attests their
superior judgment. Instead of an increase of vice, prejudice, -im-
characterize them, the infrequency of violations of law among: so
many, is unprecedented ; due attention to. moral. and intellectual
culture has been given ; the former prejudices‘on the ‘part: of the
nies bes | ep place to a perfect reciprocity of religious and social
lercomm Schools are. patronized equally ; the gospel
con ida-and huspitalty is shared alike by all.| ‘The school: for
the gett ex, at Elgin, is so far superior to the one established. for white
. Lame the latter was discontinued, and, as before said, all. send
nN Dawn ; that settlement is exceedingly. flourishing, and
to:
orn
ments, the attempt to identify colored men with “degraded | men of |
pepsisence, laziness, or a lack. of energy, that many feared. would
yisit,j in ‘common the. Presbyterian church; there: estab-,
mca it adit Ms ew, ‘it sn Ma some Recent:
nee, estrange- ‘
would inevita-
have entirely
> I have been
vicinity ; but a 3
or, IS not se
mg’s Settle.
n atham, are
u morals, the
people ; but
burchase was
at least; lo-
t, a few sold a .
others, and
attests: their
pjudice, -im-
ared-would (&%
among sO ‘
intellectual
art’ of the
and social
he gospel
for white
1, all send
re estab-
hing, and
© recent:
portance
lements.
re given
: }
oe oF ‘i ‘hid acre, and to have the land and tenements present a tidy appear-
@ ance. -That others than those designed to be benefitted by the or-
hostility to’ the whites; but the question of their necessity’ in ‘the
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
sons over the method before practiced, andl the -
es for country homes, is held much _ higher. Another —
forth a passing notice, is, that a spirit of competition i is
feir vicinity. Efforts are now put forth to produce more
, ganizaticn, should be, is not reasonable, else might persons) not-mein-
; bers of a societyjusily claim equal benefits with members,’ : If Irish:
men should subscribe to certaft: regulations on purchasing land, no +
neighboring landholders could rightfully share ‘with'them in the yee 4
sult of that organization. But’ prejudice would not be the cause of
exclusion. So it is of those two settlements ; it cannot be ‘said: of:
them, that they are caste institutions, so long as they do not’ express
premises: may be ‘raised; and often ‘is, by the’ settlers ‘in ‘Canadas el
well asin the States: The “Institution” is a settlement under the’ a 4
rection of the A.M. E. Church ; it contains, at present; two hundved,.
acres, and is sold out'in ten acre: farms, at one dollar and fifty: ceiitis..
‘pe?-acre, or one’ shilling Jess than cost. “They have: recetitly: opened |
a school, and there-is a log meeting’ house in’ an unfinished state, ‘also
a Burying’ ground.’ There are’ about fiftéen’ families séttled on the
land, most of whom have cleared away a few treés, butiti js'not inavery
prosperous condition, owing, ‘itis said, tobad matagement of'agen
a result’ to’be looked for whe a ‘want of knowledge!’ chaeaqeetiae 7
them. This ““institution’’) bids fair to be one. niceleyel ‘around. gh si 4
caste settlements will clister in Canada, inti 2 Aiagag i ;
The Refetes Heine is the last € the: ainsi of
speak in’ dasplac
know, though T ci
signed arugiiropelas fifty thousand: pores of land for: ! ae
slavery, énly, but at present the agents have in possese ssion tw
#eres, situated about eight miles from: Windsor Alf thew
tiet.. The plan‘is to sell farmis of twenty-five: ‘acres,
five acres to actual settlers). with the privilege: of buying : }
ing twenty > sres, at the markets alue—onethitd: nf thé purel
anc ai
e
Er
NOTES oF CANADA WEST,
Ae:
“ny Acres, but no. interest may
iS0clety may now be considered in operation, as the
@ purchase, though, as yet, no one has settled the
tobe looked for. fron, it, from the extent of the field of Operations, |
will have an ‘mportant bearing on the colored people who:
Settled in Canada, or who may emigrate thither.
Society, actuated by benevolent feelings
reon, and“@ner
are now
The friends. of the
towards Vietins of Ameri.
me 311
“an oppression and the odious Fugiti®e Law, are sanguine as to the " re!
i Success of the measure, but not so. universal ig the opinion imitsfayoy, || vi
evel among those designed to. be benefitted ; in fact, all the Objec- MF ..,
tions raised against previously existing settlements, hold good against ob
these, with the additional, ones of greater Magnitude. It jg well th
known thatthe Fugitive Bill makes insecure. every northern eolored tai
Miatiy-—-those free are alike at the risk of being sent south, —-eonse- th
“qWently, many Persons, always free, will leave the United States, and ag
. pgettle in: Canada, ‘and other countries, whe would have remained had )
mot that law. been. enacted,
Tn. pro-slavery communities, or where
eh colonization influence prevails, Sacrifice ; they
not settle on the ci
se
o
ir
o
b
°.a.man’s. ditth, ag 0
colored persons, should not. be as
ped fugitive brethren, Thus, discord 8
Y> is €ngendered ; a breach made, Nai
gitives of the society. lands is. not likely t
Onely with, its funds, is looked upon in ‘the
aly standing in the, way: of. poor sree men, with
idands, will not all .be ‘Sovernment purchases ; -
ia
and
ine as to the
pn ini its favor,
all the: objec-
‘800d against
At is well
16rn: colored
Btates, and
mained had
8, or where
rifice 5 they
ettle on the
| freedom,
isgrace at-
ortunities,
ons worth.
ally have
ot rooted
8 free. ¢ or
ot. be as
1 made,
t likely
In the
ny With
hases ;
of operations,
who: are how q
friends of the
ms of Ameri.
will not sell but for more than the real value, thus embarrassing poor
5 men who would have bought on time, and as an able purchaser from, |
P| government, the society must have a first choice. The objections.
iy in common with other’settlements, are: the individual supervision of
“@ resident agents, and the premium indirectly offered for good behax * |
. | vior. “We are freemen,” say they who advoeate independent effort, 4
" the same ih while chattel slavery exists inthe: nee States. 4
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
contemplate large blocks, exclusively, but, as in the
‘land, wherever found, and in small parcels also. From _
| sive nature of the many settlements, (as fugitive homes, )
When it shall be known for what use itis wanted, individual holders
‘we, as other subjects, are amenable to British laws; we \ish to
observe and appropriate to ourselves, ourselves, whatever of goods al
there is in the society around us, and by our individual efforts, to at- a
tain to a respectable position, as do the many foreigners who land on
the Canada shores, as poor in purse as we were ; and we do not want: *
agents to beg for us.” The accompanying are articles‘in the Con ‘3
stitution: Be eae vo eg
Article 2.. The object of this wiciaép shall’ be to obtain permanent
homes for the refugees i in Canada, and to: promote their moral, so-"/
cial, physical, intellectual, and’ political elevation.
Article 11. This society shall not deed lands to any but Pt a
settlers, who are refugees from southern slavery, and who are: the
owners of no land.
Article 12. All lands purchased by this society, shall be divided
into twenty-five acre lots, or as near as possible, and at least one-tenth.
of the purchase price of which shall be paid down by actual-séttlerat
before possession is given, and the balance to be paid in oe sa oes
instalments.
Article 13. One-third of all money + paid in for land ‘by siiaicne
shall be used for educational purposes, for the benefit of said settlers’
children, and the other two-thirds for the purchase of more lands for
BY-LAWS.
No person shall receive more than five acres of land from this
ciety, at less than cost. | :
4 ; , baa ee if
&
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
i Article 4. Noperson shall be allowed to remove anjetim
ii). said land until they have first made payment thereon. ‘¥
- These are the articles of most importance, and, as will Deja
‘contemplate more than fifty thousand acres continual purek aces, t
slavery shall cease ; and other terms, as will be seen by Art. 13 of
Con., and Art. 4, By-Laws, than most fugitives just from slavery can
comply with, (as destitute women with families, old men, and single
women, ) until after partial familiarity with their adopted country.
This, say many colored Canadians, begins not to benefit until a man
~ hag proven his ability to act without aid, and is fit for political equa
ity by his own industry, that money will get for him at any time.
" “POLITICAL RIGHTS—ELECTION LAW—OATH—CURRENCY.
“There i is no legal discrimination whatever effecting colored emi-
* grants in Canada, nor from any cause whatever are their privileges
sought to ‘be-abridged. On taking proper measures, the most ample
~ redress can be obtained. The following “ abstracts of acts,’’ bearing
~ equally on all, and observed fully by colored men qualified, will give
an idea of the measures given them :* L
«* The qualifications of voters at municipal elections in townships, c
are freeholders and householders of the township or ward, entered
on the roll for rateable real property, in their own right or that. of
their wives, as proprietors or tenants, and resident at the time in the
township or ward.’’
“In towns, freeholders and householders for rateable real Property
of int heir own Frames or that of their wives, as proprietors of tenants to
the: amount of £5 per annum or upwards, resident atthe time in the
‘ward. The property qualification of town voters’ = cor si at. partly
_ of freehold and partly of leasehold.” ee
a In ee it is e and upwayile, with féchold or lonechold 4in
dl ‘egul: +f “gleotions, and sable to sian are not
3 the ro Canadas ; but colored persons are not. affected by
NOTES OF CANADA WEST:
je shall be entitled to vote at county elections, who has
i him, by legal title, real property in said county of the
fy value of forty-four shillings and five pence and one far-
hg, currency. Title tobe in fee simple or freehold under tenure of © "|
free. and common soccage, or in fief in rature, or in franc allen, or de-
rived from the Governor and Council of the late Province of Quebec,
arch ages, a
y Art. 13 of
slavery can
» and single or Act of Parliament.’ Qualificatiori, to be effective, requires actual :
ed country. §% and uninterrupted possession on the part of the elector, or that he | |
until & man 4 @ should have been in receipt of the rents and profits of said property. ;
fical equal- ’ | for his own use and benefit at least six months before the date of the 4
y time, * “@ writof election. But the title will be good without such anterior pos-
NCY. : session, if the property shall have come by inheritance, devis?, mar? 4
eae riage or contract of marriage, and also if the deed or patent from the 4
i: Pe Crown on which he holds to claim such estate in Upper Canada, have q
Privileges. been registered three calendar months before the date of the writ of ~ 4
vei ample election. In Lower Canada, possession of ihe property under a’ writ- me
| eg ten promise of sale registered, if aot a notarial deed, for twelve months, 4
, give before the election, to be sufficient title to vote. In Upper Canada, ™
: , & conyeyance to wife after marriage must have been registered three Wl
sheet calendar months, or husband have been in possession of property six
» entered months before election.”
: that of “Only British subjects of the full age of twenty-one are allowed to
ne in the vote. Electors may remove objection by producing certificate, or by
taking the oath.’
Property These contain no preseriptive provisions, and there are none. Col.
mainte to 868 ored men comply with these provisions.and vote in the administé ation
1¢ in the of af, ae is no difference made whatever ; and even in, the q
at partly mate j
old. ..in There i is, iti is fies inci alum manifested at times by: individuals, ‘a
mae which is made use of by the designing ; but impartiality and. strict =
are not © | ’ justice characterise proceedings at law, and the beating of, the | let,
ted by The oath, as prescribed by law, is as follows: _.. al
tf
eo
‘tI, A. B., do sincerely promise and swear; that I will bear aith
ful end true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victor ria, * : ig
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
Soversiin of the United Kingdom of Great Britian aril:
of this Province of Canada, dependent on and belongini
United Kingdom, and that I will defend her to the utte
"power against all traitors, conspiracies and attempts whatever whi
shall b8 made against Her Person, Crown and Dignity, and that I
will do my utmost endeavor to disclose and make known to Her
Majesty; Her Heirs and Successors all treasons and traitorous eon-
Spiracies and attempts which I shall know to be against Her or any
_ of them, and all this I do swear without any equivocation, mental - § cg
i’. evasion, or secret reservation, and ,renouncing all pardons and dispen-
| sations from persons whatever, to the contrary . So help me God.”
* “THe Deputy Returning Officer may administer oath of aliegiance
to persons who, according to provisions of any Act of Parliament,
shall become, on taking such oath, cae’ to the privileges of British
birth in the Province.” =’ | fo
land, ‘and
‘Persons knowing themselves not to be qualified, voting at elec-
‘tions, incur penalty of £10; and on action brought, the burden of Ww
proof shall be on the defendant. Such votes null and void.’’ es
The qualifications of Municipal Councillors are as follows :—
Township Councillor must be a freeholder or howseholder of the | i
township or ward, * * * as proprietor or tenant rated on the
roll, in case of a freeholder for £100 or upwards ; householder for €
‘£200 or upwards: ‘Village Councillor, in case of a freeholder, for
£10 or upwards; a householder for £20 and upwards: Town -
Poungillor, 3 in case of a freeholder £20 per annum ; if a householder ;
te the amount of £40 and upwards. The property qualification of
“Town Councillors may be partly freehold and partly leasehold.”
4) (A-tenant voter ‘in-town or city must ‘have occupied by actual resi-
: denice, ‘as a separate ‘tenant, a dwelling house or -housés for twelve
months, ofthe yearly value of £11 2s. 14d. currency, and have paid
*e ‘year’s vent, or that amount of money for the twelve months imme-
dittely preceding the date of election writ. A person holding only a
shop or place of business, bit not actually residing therein, is ‘not
titled to vote. Anda voter having changed his residence within,
th town during the year, does not affect his right to ued bag must
in the in hich plmresiden cs on the Pas
«~
and that I
pwn to Her
Orous €on-
er or any
bn, mental
nd dispen-
me God.’’
aliegiance
arliament,
of British
g at elec-
burden of
llows _
Yr of the
don the
der for
Ider, for
Town
eholder
ation of
ld.”
il resi-
twelve «
ve paid
imme-
only a
is ‘not
Within,
/ must
‘fF U.S. eighth «
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
ARTICLES EXEMPT FROM DUTY.
be are some of the articles exempt from duty on impor-
t Models of machinery and other inventions and improvements. in
the arts. Horses and carriages of travelers; and horses, cattle and
carriages and other vehicles when employed in carrying merchandize, ‘
together with the necessary harness and tackle, so long as the same,
shall be dona fide in use for that purpose, except the horses, cattle,
carriages and harness of persons hawking goods, wares and merchan-
dize through the Province for the purpose of retailing the same, and
the horses, cattle, carriages and harness of any circus or equestrian
troop for exhibitién; the horses, cattle, carr ages and harness of ay .
to be free.” ai
Donations of clothing specially imported for the use of .or to: sis
distributed gratuitously by any charitable society in this Province.”
- Seeds of all kinds, farming utensils and implements of husbandry,
' when specially imperted in good faith by any-society incorporated or »
established for the encouragement of agriculture.”
‘Wearing apparel in actual use, and other personal Plans not.
merchandize ; horses and cattle; implements and tools of . trade of
handicraftsmen.”
* * * «Trees, shrubs, bulbs and roots; wheat and indian
corn; animals specially imported for the improvement of ‘stock; _
paintings, drawings, maps, busts, printed books, (not foreign reprints
of British copy-right works,) ashes, pot and pearl, and Lovet ,
| _ CURRENCY OF CANADA. . oan a
“GOLD. CURRENCY. a ;
The British Sovereign when of full weight, £1 as 4d."
U.S Exgle,coined ‘before Ist’ July 1884, £1'18s 4a:
U.S. Eagle, between Ist of July, 1834, and Ast.of July, \
1851) £2 108 Od”
| SILVER. SILVER.
British Crown, 6s 1d Other eighth silver. dollar, Os. 6d
Half crgwn, 38 0 | U.S. sixteenth dollar, . oO Bh.
Shilling, 1. 2.4 Other => « He :
Sixpence, 0 it Five franc piece, |
The dollar, yb vl COPPER. cg ek Ct
Half : 3 2: i British ONY erg. staiei'si
U.S. qudrier dollar, 1 3°]: half penny, °
Other“ ta = avepi
0 4
we FER 7 oY
Pee go, ENN wae
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
*ABSTRACT OF LAW OF SUCCESSION IN UPPE ean A,
ot. * * «Be it therefore enacted, &c., That wh ine
ole: the first day of January, which will be in the yee
one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, any person shall die siezed:
in fee simple or for the life of another of any real estate in Upper Can-
ada, without having lawfully devised the same, such real estate shall
descend or pass by way of succession in manner following, that is to
say : ' 3
Firstly—To his lineal descendants, and those claiming by or under
. them, yer stirpes.
Secondly—To his father.
‘ Thirdly—To his mother: and
Fourthly—To his collateral relatives.
Subject in all cases to the rules and regulations hereinafter pre-
scribed. ;
(2. “That if the intestate shall leave several descendants in the
* direct line of lineal descent, and all of equal degree of consanguinity
to such intestate, the inheritance shall descend to such persons in
equal parts, however remote from the intestate the common degree of
consanguinity may be. :
3. “ That if any of the children of such intestate be living, and any
be déad, the inheritance shal] descend to the children who are living,
.,apd to the descendants of such children as shall have died, so that
~ each child who shall be living shall inherit such share as would have
descended to him if all the children of the intestate who shall have
‘died, leaving iséue, had been living, and so that the descendants of
each child who shall be dead shall inherit the share which their pa-
rents would have received, if living, in equal shares.
ee 18. That children and relatives who are illegitimate shall not be
2 entitled to inherit unde; any of the provisions of this Act.”
us é THE THIRTY THOUSAND COLORED FREEMEN OF CANADA.
all
NOTES OF CANADA er
» found among those permanently settled. They are
uously in cities, towns, villages, and the farming dis- i
@mo equal number of colored men in the States, north or
abuth, can n produce more freeholders. . They are settled on, and own ‘4
destitution 19]
jae i Lard:
Pa as | a
} ;
portions of the best farming lands in the province, and own much val-
ate shall uable property in the several cities, etc. There is, of course, a differ:
et is to ence in the relative prosperity and deportment in different: sections,
but a respect for, and observance of the laws, is conceded to them by
pr under all; indeed, much indifference on the part of whites has given place
to genuine sympathy, and the active abolitionists and liberal’men of
the country, look upon that element in their character as affording
ground for hope of a bright future for them, and_as evidence that their “a
sympathy for the free man is not misplaced, as more than compensa: 4
ter pre- tion for their own exertions for those yet in bonds. I have said; there 4
! is but little actual poverty among them. They are engaged, inthe
in the different trades and other manual occupations.’ They have : paper -
guinity conducted by the Rev. Henry Bibb, and other able men, white and
ons in colored, are laboring among them, and in view of the protection afford- * 4
gree of ed, there is no good reason why they should not prosper. ‘After the a
| ' passage of the fugitive law, the sudden emigration of several thou- 4
si ni sand in a few months, destitute as they necessarily were, from having, 4
living, in many instances, to leave behind them all they possessed, made not 4
0, at a little suffering for a brief period, (only among them,) and the report a
a have of their condition had an injurious bearing upon all the, colored set- 4
have 3 tlers. Clothing, provisions, and other articles were sent them, but |
a et often so disposed of, or appropriated, as not to benefit those for whom A
cg aa intended. . Distrust of agents, indiscriminately, and altogether but 4
bet ‘little real good has followed from the. charity. The sensible men,
a ue among them, seeing the vad results from a general character for pov- :
| erty and degradation, have not been slow: to express their disappro-— oa:
: bation in the social circle, in ‘meetings, and through the public papers.
aie The re extracts ee en the Sone ae oF nine- — of
sitive
32 a OF CANADA WEST.
differently, as there will be in all communities, though #hey are in the
minority. There are those, also, and they are a respectiml oie. Be
| (in point of numbers,) who are in favor of distinctive ‘ hur arches en L
schools, and of being entirely to themselves ; they will come in for
especial notice, but first, let us hear the people of Buxton and other
places :
“If facts would bear out the statements made, the fugitives would
“have little to choose between slavery on one side of the line, and
starvation on the other; but we rejoice that he.is not reduced to the
alternative. The man who is willing to work need not suffer, and
unless @ man supports himself he will neither be indep »::dent nor re-
spectable in any‘country.” * * * “The cry that has been ofter
raise’, that we could not support ourselves, is a foul slander, got up
by our enemies, and circulated both on this and the other’ side of the
fine, to our prejudice. Having lived many years in Canada, we hesi-
tate not to say that all who are able and willing to work, can make
a good living.” * * * Itis time the truth should be known con-
cerning the relief that has been sent to the “suffering fugitives in
Canada,” and to what extent it has been applied. The boxes of 4a
clothing and barrels of provisions which have been sentin, from time es
to time, by the praiseworthy, but misguided zeal of friendsin the Uni- ae
ted States, has been employed to support the idle, who are too lazy ty
to work, and who form but a small portion of the colored population mS
in Canada. There are upwards of thirty thousand colored persons "
in Canada West, and not more than three thousand of them have By
ever received aid, and not more than half of them required it had they “
been willing to work. We-do not think it right that twenty-seven ¥
thousand colored persons, who are suppoiting themselves by their “
own industry, should lie under the disgrace of being called public of
beggars, when they receive nothing, and don’t want‘anything. * * ¥
We- wish the | people of the United States to’ know that.there is one F
portion of Canada West where the. colored people are self-supporting, ,
and they wish them. to send’n neither petticoat nor pantaloons to the 5
county of Kent. * .% /
ne few cases of real want which arise
NOTES OF CANADA WEST. $3
gor old age, can, with a trifling effort, be relieved here, :
aking it a pretext for a system of wholesale bogging inthe , |
* EDWARD R. GRANTS,
SAMUEL WICKHAM, Committee.
ROBERT HARRIS.
“As to the state of things in Toronto and in Hamilton, I can say,
would from actual observation, that extreme suffering is scarcely. known
he, andl among the black people, while some who are far from being as indus-
to the trious and deserving as ones ought to be, receive aid to which they .
© and would hardly seem entitled."—S. R. Ward’s Letter to the Voice vidas the
een Fugitive.
iio Notwithstanding the prosperity and liberal sentiment of Leis
got up ‘jarity, there is yet a great deal of ignorance, bigotry, prejudice, and
of ‘the: idleness. There are those who are only interested in education so
far as the establishment of separate schools, churches, &c., tend to
e hesi :
make make broad the line of separation they wish to maké between them =, |
mre and the whites; and they are active to increase their numbers, andto =
naa perpetuate, in the minds of the newly arrived emigrant or refugee, |
‘ith bs prejudices, originating in slavery, and as strong and objectionable in
dei their manifestations as those entertained by whites towards them. Ev-
i ery casual remark by whites is tortured into a decided and effective
> Uni- ee mids
ns fie negro hate. The expressions of an individual are made to infer the
fa existence of prejudice on the part of the whites, and partiality by the
administrators of public affairs’ The recently arrived ‘fugitives, uh:
ersons
acquainted with the true state of things, is “completely convinced by —
have
1 the the noisy philippic against all the “white folks,” and all colored ones
a who think differontly from them, and he is thus prepared to aid dem-
tied agogues in preventing the adoption of proper measures for the spread
ublie of education and general. intelligence, to maintain an -ascendency
ark over the inferior minds. around them, and to make the way of thé
missionary a path of thorns.. Among that portion, generally, may
oie: those be found, who: by their indolent habits, tend to give. insiakto
; a what of prejudice is lingering in the minds of the whites ;:and it.
is to be feared that they may take some: - misguided step now, ion.
sequences of which will entail evil: ‘on any who will hereafter a
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
settle in Canada. The only ground of hope is in the native good
sense of those who are now making use of the same
ties for i improvement as are the whites around them.
THE FRENCH AND FOREIGN POPULATION.
The population of Canada consists of English, Scotch, French,
Irish and Americans ; and, including colored persons, numbers about
1,682,000, . Of the whites, the French are in the majority, but the in-
creasing emigration of Irish, Scotch, English and other Buropeans, is
fast bringing about an equality in point of numbers that will be felt in
political-circles. In Canada West the French are inthe minority,
‘The digposition of the peopls generally towards colored emigrants,
that is,s0. far.as the: opinions of old settlers may be taken, and: my
own observation may be allowed, is as friendly as could be looked for
under the circumstances. The Yankees, in the country and in the
States adjoining, leave no opportunity unimproved to embitter their
minds against them. The result is, in some sections, a contemptible
sort:of prejudice, which, among English, is powerless beyond the in-
dividual entertaining its-—not even affecting his circle. This grows out
ofthe constitution of English society, in which people are not obliged
tothink as othersdo. There is more independent thought and free
expression than among Americans. The affinity between the Yan-
keés‘and French is strong; said to grow out of similar intentions with
‘Tekpect to political: affairs :. and they express most hostility, but‘it is
not ofa ‘complexionel character only, as that serves as a mark to
identifymen of a different policy. Leaving out Yankees—having but
little practical. experience of colored people—they, (the French,) are
pre-dispored, from the influence alluded to, to deal.roughly with them;
but‘in themain benevolenée ‘and a sense of justice are elements in
their character: They are not averse to truth,. There is a prevailing
| e hostility to:chattel slavery, and an honest représentation of the colored
|. <people :. their aims ‘and: pemgerasive character, backed: vy uniform
~~ goed eonduct on their part, would, in 4 very short time a and
: in, a. in ic Province,
State of society as it is in the States. There is asin the old country, :
manifestations as aristocracy in England, Scotland and elsewhere, 4 |
ia Gaius
hi,
NOTES OF* CANADA WEST. 35
a
ers, and a inquirers will travel many miles, crowd our country
temain for hours eagerly and patiently seeking the light.
nda © Let the ignorance now prevalent on the subject of .
a rnb met by fair and full discussion, and open and thorough ins
vestigation, and the apathy and prejudice now existing will soon dis-
appear.”—S. R. Ward.
Coloted persons have been refused ontertainmentiin taverns, (inva-
riably of an inferior class,) and on some boats distinction is made;
but in all cases; itis that kind of distinction thatis made between poor
foreigners and: other passengers, on the cars and steamboats of the
Northern States. There are the emigrant train and the.forward deck
in the United States. In Canada, colored persons, holding the same
relation to the Canadians, are in some cases treated similarly. Ityis
an easy rfatter to make out a case of prejudice. in any country.., We
naturally look for it, and the conduct of many is, calculated to.cange
unpleasant treatment, and to make it difficult for well-mannered
persons to get comfortable accommodations. There is a medium he,
tween servility and presumption, that recommends itself to all per-
sons of common sense, of whatever rank, or complexion; and if
colored people would avoid the two extremes, there would be but
few cases of prejudices to complain of in Canada. In cases in’
which tavern keepers and other public characters. persist in refusing
to entertain them, they can, in common with: the traveling public
generally, get redress at law. ox) Ae
Persons emigrating to Canada, need not hope to find the general
a strong class feeling—lines are as completely: drawn between. the 7
different classes, and aristocracy in the Canadas is the. same.in its
There is no approach to Southern chivalry, nor. the. sensitive.de ne
racy prevalent at the North ; but there is an aristocracy of birth,
of skin, as with Americans, In the ordinary arrangements. of, soci 14
from wealthy and titled immigrants ‘and, visitors, from. the, n mort
Neigh down through the inten circles to Yankees: ee
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
class should not “see any trouble over another ;” but, the mentee:
4 ‘gfound on which all honest and respectable men ne ty is
oe . thnate hatred of American Slavery.
*
RECAPITULATION.
The conclusion arrived at in respect to Canada, by an‘impartial
person, is, that no settled country in America offers stronger induce- We
ments to colored people. The climate is healthy, and they enjoy as
good health as other settlers, or as the natives; the séil is of the
first quality ; the laws of the country give to them, at first, the same
protection and privileges as to other persons not born subjects ; and
after compliance with Acts of Parliament affecting them, as taking
oath, &c., they may enjoy full « privileges of British birth in the |
Province.” The general tone of society is healthy ; vice is discoun-
wenaneed, and infractions of the law promptly punished ; and, added
© this, there is an increasing anti-slavery sentiment, and a pro-
ED gressive system of religion. no
— of
He - of
THE BRITISH WEST INDIES—MEXICO—SOUTH it
AMERICA—-AFRICA.
Inducements have been held out by planters to colored men, to tl
Pe: settle i in the British West Indies, and agents have been sent particu- tl
2 lady from | Jamaica end ‘[rinidad, from time to time, to confer with it
thei on the subject. ‘The most prominent feature in their efforts, has , a
ett: the direct advantage to the planter from such emigration. The {
_ radvanitages to be derived by settlers, ina pecuniary’ point, from any
__ system of emigration originating with proprietors of estates, will be
doubtful, so long‘as the present mode of planting, managing and in- ,. e
bivinig estates, continues, if the emigrants consent to. be mere labor. :
tend of. owners of the soil. But from a system of voluntary
gration h to those islands, different results may be looked for.- The
egradeé them, the latter materially elevate
The vicinity of thdse islands. ‘to the southern United States
ecéssary that ue fom! be sgh by hig men, and :
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
oiiitow Bria protection; ; in short, that they should be British sub-
3 ep blicy of the dominant party in the United States, is to
‘eolored people out of the country, and’ to send them to Afri-
rz nly: ‘and at the some time, to give the fullest:guaranty to slave-"
holders, for the continuance oftheir system. To fulfil, to the letter,
this latter, they make large calculations of a future interest in the
West Indies, Honduras, and ultimately South America. They wish
pene to consecrate to slavery and the slave power that portion of this
f the continent ; at the same time they deprecate the vicinity of freemen. _,
mien To preserve those countries from the ravages of slavery, should be
wad the motive to their settlement by colored men: Jamaica, with its
king fine climate and rich soil, is the key to the gulf of Mexico. Mt is
the not distant from the United States, Cuba, nor Hayti; but, as if pro-
ar videntially, is just so positioned that, if properly garrisoned by col- 7 i
vile ored free men, may, under Britain, promptly and effectually check q
hia “foreign interference in its own policy, and any mischievous designs |
now in contemplation toward Cuba and Hayti. So of that portion
of the Isthmus now under the protection of Great Britain. In view
of the ultimate destiny of the southern poftion of North America,
it is of the first importance that colored men strengthen that and
similar positions in that region, They are the natural protectors of
i “ the Isthmus and the contiguous eduntry : itis said by medical mgt,
i) that those of the human family, physically’ capable of resisting the
mith | influences of great heat, are also capable of endufing severe cold ;
has se and the varied experience of colored persons in America, proves :
The that they live to as great age as whiter, whether as whalemen in the.
any northern seas, and settlers in the British provinces, (far north of the
an
be United States,) or in the West Indies. \'The question of availebi
in. ety, can never be raised, for at this time there are those who conducts
ii with great ability the business of the Islands. Colored men
ary greatly in the majority, not more than one-sixth are ‘whites. @
The
are legislators, lawyers, physicians, ministers, planters, editors;
aed and laborers; and they: demonstrate clearly the re
brs}
: a TR TOR SOS a
may not be so much winch as formerly, for the “? soodire |
‘that there are more purchasers at home. The miserably sd CRY
of former days, is now the independent free man, with the ability to prot
buy whatever his judgment prompts him to. Neither is the demand | gov
_ for laborers for large estates evidence that the peasantry are idle. Uni
‘There are more small farmers and cultivators on their own account, labe
|, More store-keepers and traders, and they of the emancipated class. dite
‘ More attention is, of course, paid to education, and the children tha
are thus relieved, in a measure, from out door duties. Much has for
been done by the colored people of those islands to improve their lin;
condition, and much more may be done conjointly with emigrants the
from the States, to perfect society, strengthen the British in that tin
quarter, and thus keep up “the balance of powor.” It needs no | mo
prophet to foretell the establishment of an empire formed out of the “Wo
southern United States and Mexico. The settlement by colored res
pegple of those countries, with their many sympathizers, is but a mi
preparatory step: that step has been taken, slavery and republican di
rapacity will do the rest. Under what more favorable auspices could gr
“ emigration to the West Indies be made than the present, now that _ cit
a general welcome would be extended by the people to those who tu
would like a milder climate than the States? What government ch
so powerful and’so thoroughly impartial, as Her Majesty’s ; so prac-
tically anti-slavery, and so protective? None. The objectiog that te
‘we wish our own government, to demonstrate our capacity: for self- di
government, is done away with at once, for there are. colonies con- wv
- trolled, so far as their immediate affairs extend, by colored men.
tes The assertion that white men universally degrade colored, is dis.,
poved.. by the facts. There is no aristocracy of skin; every
ive to honorable effort is kept before them. It is of the first
| tance, then, that the government of those islands should be anti-
} and that only governments, anti-slavery in spirit and tenden-
B having a liberal religious. policy, should be sought ont by
= from:the United States. They, of all others on this ee
lity to
mand
8 idle.
ount,
class.
ildren
h has
b their
grants
h that
ds no
of the
lored
but. a
dlican
could
v that
» who
iment
prac-
» that
r self-
con-
men.
s dis,
very
first
anti-
den -
at. by
this ! j 4
NOTES OF CANADA WEST. 39
ye'drank plentifully of the cup of degradation, made
om the never ending parade ‘about’ freedom. They
werful auxiliaries of :the present inhabitants, in forming
of defense, or available for offensive operations, as a decided = *
protest, for instance, as the best interests and policy of the British |
government might demand. Those who oppose emigration fromthe
United States, say, “you (colored people,) wiil not desire to be the
laborers in other couniries; to dig the canals, work on rail roads, :
ditch, and the like, but you will prefer to engage in trade, and
that others will forestall you.” Men who are honest in their desire |
for a change, who love liberty better than slavery, or who are unwil- 4;
ling to await the tedious process by which, inthe’ United States,
their rights will be given, if ever, will ‘not be fastidious on emigra-
ting to a country.. Emigrants to ‘any country, who should aim at a
monopoly of the. so called respectable occupations, exclusively,
would be looked upon with distrust, as well as contempt, and the ‘
result to the emigrant would not be far different from a monopoly of
menial employments. There will be no scarcity of land, and a me- :
dium, between the extensive operations of capitalists, and the de- :
grading occupations of colored people, generally, in the crowded |
cities of the United States, thus opens to them a certain road to fu-
ture eminence, in every way preferable to the sudden changes wap
chances of trade, exclusively.
Allusion is at timesimade to South America, and plans for a grant of /
territory from governments in that country, in which to form an“‘in-
dépendent government,” have been proposed. Others say, “unite ~~
with existing governments.” Neither plan can recommend itself to ce
prospective emigrants generally. In the first place, there is no pre q
«, cédent on record of a grant, similar ‘to the one: sought, and the pol ail
cy of irideperdent governments, with respect to each one
always be oposed to unqualified grants. The great obje
uftiting with those governments at prevent, would “be'their 3
» toleration ir: matters of religion ; + 80 long as the intimate com
NOTES OF CANADA WEST. :
. aminor.ty, struggling for life against the exactions of, popery, and
the ambition of military chiefs. Would colored ment be epared
_ to adopt the religion of the country? That with them
‘only guaranty of protection, such ‘protection as vulturés giv
lambs.” ‘Let us seize upon Africa, or some other, unapprepriated terri-
while we may,”say-others, “and establish our own governments.” But
Africa has already been seized upor ; the English, French, Portuguese,
Spanish and Turks, have long since shared her oyt among themselves,
and little Liberia may yet revert to some heir-at-law, who has purposely
been unmindful of her. There is yet Mexico, to be spoken of here-
after, and asouthern continent, but that belongs to the United States,
it may be by right of discovery ; so there seems to be no safe alterna-
tive left but to be satisfied with that government now existing that
is most reliable and most powerful. That governmentis Great Brit-
‘ain ; herdependencies form a secure kome for the American slave,
and the disgraced free man, The last of her possessions to which I
shall call attention in this place, is Vancouver’s Island.
MEXICO.
The vicinity of Mexico to the United States, and the known hos-
tility of. Mexicans to the institution of slavery, weigh strongly with
consideration, it will b. scen that that country does not present the
\ features, in the main, that the States of South America do. The
“hankering of the old Castilians after lost power, is much greater in
» Mexico than, farther south ; and to regain that there would not be
” geruples about a coalition with American Slaveholders, even. The
. spirit of democracy has never so thoroughly pervaded that country,
‘as thoso, under the shadow of Simon Bolivar. Mexico was called
pw Spain. In her was remodelled the prominent features. of Span-
plicy in Europe. There was the grand centre point of Spanish
JB si at intolerance, and regal domination, for the New
4 ee ane
«some persons in favor of emigration to that country ; but on carefv) .
In the Statgs fe South America, a change of policy was. a .
over
the
cien
majo
66 ma
coml
prem
woul
be i
othe:
inevi
tive
their
Unit
‘brea
their
love
sel¥3
to the
for o
NOTES OF CANADA WEST. 41 =>
wif the Spanish yoke. This is shown in the relative
it ie’ Church in those countries. In Mexico the Roman
@ebarch is in undisputed. supremacy, and the Pope is. to
am the Ultimatum. In the tates of South Amenca, though that
| terri- religion prevails, yet concession has been made, by Rome, in the
' But person of a dignitary of equal powers there with the Pope elsewhere. 4
puese, With them the Pope is but little more respected than the Greek , ]
elves, Patriarch. In those States, except Peru, (in which there is but one.
osely idea generally among Natives and Spanish,) there was no’pre-
here- viously civilized class, continually brooding over Spanish wrongs <
tates, the natives came to terms, and they and Creoles combined ‘to de-
ema- stroy Spanish tyranny backed by Rome ; consequently, after, victory:
y that over Spain was achieved by them, their remaining enemy was and.is q
Brit- the Church in its modified form. It yet: has, as-before. said, suffi-: | me
slave, 7 cient influence to. make those countries undesirable for colored |
1ich I people from the Uaited States in the present phase of things. We — a
want a strong position ; Mexico does not offer that, even though the © a
majority are anti-slavery. The Southern United States have-
“marked her for their prey,” which she will be for a. time; and
hos- combining with the minority, uhe probability is a contest. for the su-
with premacy of slavery for a long time.- If it were certain that slavery,
arefv. . would not’ be: tolerated but for a short period,:still the move would
t the be inexpedient, as direct contact with revolutionary movements, oF /
The other plans of progress, in her present state affecting it, would: be
er in inevitable. The position of colored Americans must be a conservas!
Dt be : tive one, for a time, in any foreign countiy, (from the very nature 0) . ’ oa
The their relations to foreign nations,) as well as for themselves in. the” |
United States ; and it were folly-in them to voluntarily enter the’
‘breach: between any two hostile nations until stronger in position ;
their efforts, to be rational, should be to gain strength. People w
love liberty do not emigrate to weak governments to embroil ae
selv7s in their quarrels with stronger ones, : but to strong ones, toa
to their strength and better their own: cou. dition, and oreigners fight
for others, are, generally, either hirelings, or isolated: adve
__ sttiving after fame. Whatever people goto: Mexico’gnd
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
institutions, must calculate ‘before hand, to set aside ” 6.
independent civil life—must fora long time repudi ate
‘the arts, and trade, with their concomitants, in a gred
make them but secondary in importance to the, there, D
idea of military life; andthe certainty of frequent attacks from abroad
and athome. The weakness, or rather the internal feuds of Mexico, ‘@
‘invite attack from unscrupulous parties, isit meet then that emigrants |
' ofany nation should make haste to “ settle there?” We look in vain
for the ptecedent of emigration to a country, distracted even to
‘bloodshed, with internal feuds, by any people; and we may look in
vain for prosperity. In advocating this, we would leave out of
sight; the check that a fortifying of the West Indies with our emi-
grants would give to depredations on the contiguous countries, and
only: gratify the love to fight, without immediate: advantage. Let
Mexico,at present, take care of herself, by the efforts of her own mixed mu
population rightly directed; and let our emigrants so abolitionize and she
strengthen neighboring positions as to promote the prosperity and wil
harmony of the whole. This can be done without compromising away no
- honor; in fact, the sentiment “ liberty or death,” is never realized: but ant
by ‘so ‘proceeding as to secure the first permanently, and only courting : Ch
_ the latter when life is no longer of utility. I knowthat the recollection the
of innumerable wrongs, makes the desire for payment-in ‘like coin Wi
the necessity of some men’s natures, but no real end is .itained-after out
all: the Indians: have learned’ sense from frequent:defeat, the con- per
sequence of going to wer before they were prepared, and whole pri
tribes ‘now: cultivate the arts of peace and: progress.: Let: us learn No
“even of savages! We can get up a: fight at. any. “time, : she
fF But who *is the wiser‘ for the: ‘sight?’ No one,- honest: men wor
would but try to suppress it;'so would @ coalition with any nation, any
} . and especially a weak one, to carry ‘out ‘retaliatory: measures, result. wo
'The ‘pro‘slavery' party of the United States is the’ ‘aggressive party cle
this’ continent. ‘It is the serpent that aims to’swallowell others. ac
pmect: bacon . trake Thai hl. and, if ae Ned , defend ape a pu
urting
ection
e coin
d-after
e con-
whole
learn
time,
e men
nation, |
esult.
party,
thers.
‘them;
a and
_ Now,-there are two weighty reasons why the people’ settled there’
_ would ‘become‘more fully involved in the destiny of this’ Oontinent pe
NOTES OF CANADA WEST.
/
ER’S ISLAND—CONCLUDING REMARKS. a \
igtelane is situated: between 49°° and’51° north latitude, 0 or
he s8bthorn boundary of British’ America ;and: between 122°
and127 ° west longitude. It is about three hundred miles long, i
and between ninety and one hundred miles broad, ‘and containg » —
about twenty-eight thousand square miles. : ‘Though: remotely situated,
and comparatively uninhabited, (there being not more than:twenty
thousand persons. or it,) it: will, itis’ said, be the first island ‘in im-:
portance on the globe.» It has‘a fine climate, being ‘in the same lat’
itude as the south of England, Germany, and the nortl of France: a
the soil is also of the best description. But it is not as an agricul-’
tural island that it‘will surpass all others: The Western Continent;
and particularly the rorthern part, say ‘‘ wise men of! the * ‘east,’
must’ eventually leave the eastern far in the distance, (a fact “that
should-not ‘be lost sight of by colored men,) and that over th Pacific’ ,
will thetrade with eastern nations be prosecuted.’ «1c is important’: - 2
now as a ‘stopping place for whale ships-visiting the Northern Seas,
and is directly-in the: route. to the East Indies, : Japan Isles, and’
China, from Oregon and British America.- The overland. route to
the Pacific terminating near that’ point,-the great Atlantic ‘twade "of. :
Western Europe and America will find there: the most practicable. |
outlet‘and the shortest’ distance to Eastern'Asia ; consequently the %
people there settled, of whatever complexion, will be the « ) rchant’ ‘ E
princes of the world,” and under the protection of Great Brain. .»
should be colored: vrincipally; the first, because ‘by that means they-
any eastern move of magnitude, as for instance to. Africas af post $ a .
would appeat-a retrograde step, now that'the current of’ affairs ‘is
clearly setting’ west: and,:secondly, in ‘no more'effectual’ way’ ibaa.
a check ‘be:given to the encroachmeiits of slavery’ ofr free: ‘soil:
purely American ‘sympathy for“ eith-qnd: iin.” only,-v
rience : unmistakable: hiss aoa free — ‘in ‘the:
© yoras or oaniba WEST.
We...
on Pa * aiee
M
hes hil under British juriadlétion, than Canada: The 4
é e erent to these, (Canada, West: Indies, and Vapeouyer’ 8 Island) 0 over
‘and availability. i in. every Say. There would not be as in Africa,
Mexico, or South America, hostile tribes to annoy the settler, or de-
: -. ptroy at will towns and villages with their inhabitants: the strong
arm of British powér would summarily punish deptedations made, of
' whatever ‘character, and the emigrants would naturally assume the
responsibility of British freemen,
The question whether or not an extensive emigration by the free
colored people of the United States would affect the institution’ of
: slavery, ‘would then be answered. Lhave here taken the affirmative
>" of that ¢ question, because that view of the case seems to me most
» clear. The free colored people have steadily discountenanced any.
| * rational scheme of emigration, in the hope that by remaining inthe ~
States, a powerful miracle for the. overthrow of ‘slavery would he: ,
‘wrought. What are the facts. More territory has been given up ‘to
: slavery, the Fugitive Law has passed, and a concert of measures, se-
. ously: affecting their petsonal liberty, has been entered into by
several of the Free states; 89 subtle, unseen: and’effective have been
-theirmiments, that, were it not that we remember there is a Great
Britain, we would be overwhelmed, powerless, from the: force. -of :
such. ‘successive sliocks ; and the end may not be yet, if we persist
in pesipining ior taugete, while ue are fe atrengthening thempolyen! in
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